Comfort AND Performance in One Package – Endurance Road Bikes

If you are one of the many potential cyclists out there who believe skinny-tires and drop handlebars equal pain and discomfort, think again.  This year, there are more options than ever for cyclists who prefer a more-upright road biking position, who want to sign up for a century, who have longs and are um, torso-challenged, or who just plain want a smoother riding road bike for Michigan’s less-than perfect roads.

Contrary to aggressive bike geometry fads of the nineties, more and more companies like Trek, Specialized, and Cervelo are designing bikes that compliment a broad range of human flexibility and morphology.  Although comfortable and tuned for endurance riding, these bikes are no means sluggish and/or heavy. In fact, many are well-suited for road racing because of their short chain stays and massive bottom-brackets, ensuring wicked-fast acceleration.  Here are four of our favorites:

Specialized Roubaix: This is the bike that started it all. The first of the endurance & comfort platform road bikes, the Roubaix was originally designed for (no surprise here) the rough riding cobblestones of the Paris-Roubaix race. Its top-tube is not particularly short, but the mega lengthy head tube is what sets this bike apart.  The Roubaix features dog-leg seat stays that act like micro-scale leaf springs and a bowed top-tube that is under tension, providing vertical compliance and long-distance comfort. Unique to the Roubaix are Zertz, tiny vibration-damping elastomers that fit in the seat stays, fork, and seatpost to decrease rider fatigue.  It’s massive down-tube, bottom bracket, and 1 1/8” to 1 3/8” tapered head tube make it laterally stiff and punchy when you corner or sprint.

Trek Madone H3:  Madone geometries exist for many different types of bodies.  The H1 is the “longest and lowest” race geometry, the H2 has a slightly taller head tube, and the H3 has the highest possible handlebar position with the shortest handlebar reach.  The angles are adjusted to increase the bike’s stability.  Like the others in the Madone family, the H3 features a 90mm wide massive bottom bracket, and a 1 1/8” to 1 ½” tapered head tube for optimum power transfer and lateral stiffness.  It is a back-saving, neck-saving geometry, and works well for those with limited flexibility or lower-back issues.  It also is one of the best bikes for those of us with long legs and short torsos and/or arms.

Cervelo RS: The RS carried Thor Hushovd to the podium of the Paris-Roubaix. RS is indeed light, stiff yet comfortable and strong. The RS is VERY lightweight (a great climbing bike!) and features Squoval tubing proprietary to Cervelo; tubes that have convex walls and rounded corners that increase torsional stiffness and prevent denting and buckling. Other highlights are its ultra-thin seat stays (similar to that of the Roubaix) that provide vertical compliance, and its Smartwall carbon lay-up, which is thicker on the sides for further lateral stiffness and thinner at the top and bottom for vertical compliance. The RS geometry is very similar to that of the Specialized Roubaix.

Specialized Secteur: When the budget doesn’t allow for a carbon frame, the Secteur is the top-choice for a comfortable endurance performance ride.  Aluminum in fact can be very comfortable, and the Secteur proved it by winning the Bicycle of the Year Award from Bicycling Magazine, touting its all-day ride comfort and all-around usefulness.  The Secteur features the same geometry as the Roubaix, with an aluminum package.  You can find vibration-damping Zertz on the fork (all models) and the seat stays (comp model).

TWT – The Spin From Dennis

Spring is almost here. Days are longer, temps are higher and I hope by the time you read this the snow will be (mostly) gone. It seems we always manage to make the winter just as busy at TWT as it is in the spring and summer. Instead of selling bikes we’ve been changing things so that we are ready to sell them.

The biggest change – we’re opening a new store in Canton, MI., the largest Two Wheel Tango yet. Located at 6111 N. Canton Center Road, we’ll be a lot more accessible for our customers in Canton, Plymouth, Northville and other western suburbs. We’re partnering with Specialized at the new location to offer the largest selection of great Specialized bikes and accessories in Michigan. We’re already the largest Specialized dealer in the state (and the largest Trek dealer in Washtenaw County) and look forward to being metro Detroit’s go-to source for all for their products.

In the last several years we’ve noticed a tremendous surge in the popularity of triathlon. I did tech support at a number of events last year and the thing that most struck me is that most of the participants don’t have any special equipment at all. They are just looking for an enjoyable challenge to do with their friends and families. It was super heartening to see the large number of families participating in the events, cheered on by other family members. If you’re looking for a challenge or want to set a fitness goal for yourself, consider a triathlon. Two Wheel Tango employees will be participating in a number of events this year, as well so please say hi if you see us!

We are once again proud to announce that Two Wheel Tango has been recognized as one of the top 100 bike dealers in the country. We are one of 34 bike stores in the country to have been honored in this way for the last 5 years. We thank you for inspiring us to constantly try and do things better every day.

New Two Wheel Tango in Canton MI – In the Works

Picture a check out counter right about here.

TWT Canton store

Time To Ride – Indoors On A Trainer

Drew gives the “inside” story on trainer selections

‘Tis the season to start spending time inside on the trainer.  There are many factors that come into play when selecting a new trainer – noise, weight, resistance, simplicity and overall performance should all be considered. Select your trainer with care and you will be riding it happily for many Michigan winters.

Are you a weekend warrior just wanting a bit of exercise here and there?  Or are you an elite level rider training to win every race you enter next season?  Whatever your goals, training inside is the best opportunity to start the next cycling season outside already in shape!

So the question is, what is the best trainer for you? Start your quest for your new trainer by thinking about what kind of rider you are … weekend warrior, club rider, touring person or whatever it may be.

Generally speaking, the off-season is when you’ll be riding your trainer most.  That means you will – or should – be working on foundation training.  This type of training is not really hard – it consists of longer rides that are relatively easy.  Any trainer will work for that type of riding.  If you want to do some intervals and hard efforts then you would want to think about a fluid trainer or an electronic resistance trainer.

Kurt Kinetic makes some great trainers.  Here’s their line-up: (Most to least expensive).

Rock and Roll: This trainer has the same resistance unit as the Road Machine trainer (see next paragraph).  The difference is that the trainer allows you to rock your bike back and forth as if you were outside riding. The idea is that it is supposed to give a realistic ride quality.  This trainer can also be locked out so that it does not rock.

Road Machine:  The most versatile trainer that Kurt Kinetic makes.  With a resistance range of 5 watts to over 3,000 watts this trainer is capable of handling every type of training session.  All the trainers from Kurt Kinetic have an unconditional lifetime warranty.  The resistence unit has 80 cooling fins to cool the sealed fluid chamber.  The trainer also has a no leak guarantee.  Overall if you want to purchase one trainer and never have to worry about getting another one ever again, this is the trainer to purchase.  Lastly, this is one of the most quiet trainers available.

Kinetic Magnetic: At first glance this trainer might look the same as the Road Machine.  This trainer has the same trainer base.  The resistance unit is magnetic with a remote control resistance unit that can be mounted on the handle bars of the bike.  This trainer is still very quiet.  The main difference between the two trainers is that the magnetic trainer does not give the rider as much resistance.  If intervals are your thing then purchasing the Road Machine is the way to go.  For fitness riding and longer endurance rides the Kinetic Magnetic is a fantastic option. One key point that Kurt Kinetic trainers boast is there industry leading fly wheel.  With the largest fly wheel available out of the box for trainers, Kurt Kinetic gives riders a smooth trainer rider experience.

Cyclone:  This is Kurt Kinetic’s wind resistance trainer.  If you are looking for a basic trainer that will offer you a fantastic cardio workout this is the one for you.  This trainer offers 5 watts to 1,000 watts according to the Kurt Kinetic website… however you may find it very hard to get 1,000 watts of resistance from this trainer.  A downside to this trainer is that because it is a wind resistance trainer it will be much louder than all the other trainer options from Kurt Kinetic.

What kind of riding do you enjoy the most?  If you like to get out of the saddle and simulate climbing then get a trainer that offers more resistance.  The same thing goes for doing intervals.  If you like to just sit on the bike and spin easy then any of the quality trainers from Kurt Kinetic will work nicely for you.

For more information visit the company’s website  www.kurtkinetic.com Stop by Two Wheel Tango and we’ll get you going on your winter riding – indoors.

Back To (Fit) School

Last Spring TWT gave me the opportunity to attend my fifth bicycle fitting seminar, the SBCU Master’s Bicycle Fitting course!   The Specialized Bicycle Components University course was taught by a team of experts including the one-and-only Andy Pruitt, the guy who literally wrote the book on bike fit.  Dr. Pruitt has finessed the positions of many well-known athletes over the years including Bobby Julich, Fabian Cancellara, and the Schleck brothers.

The Master’s course was surprisingly jam-packed with new gems of information and positioning tips for solving common issues knee pain and not-so-common issues like leg length discrepancies.  One new topic we covered applied directly to an athlete who had been having terrible iliotibial band issues on his bike and had been fit and re-fit by multiple fitters at various bicycle shops.  Having just learned new stabilization fitting techniques and related cycling biomechanics, I was eager to set-up a fit session and use my tools of knowledge to get him back on his P2—with which he has had no issues with since the repositioning.

Promptly following my return from California (Specialized’s world headquarters) our fit stations received 2 new massage tables essential to do the 20-step advanced pre-fit assessment required in the 3D Body Geometry Fit, which Dennis, Drew, and myself are certified to perform.  We are ready to rock the full BG fit with all the required tools and knowledge — come by this fall/winter and see what a BG fit can do for you!

Gear Up For Winter Commuting

Marc’s Remarks on Cold Weather Cycling

Ann Arbor is the perfect city for commuting by bike.  Bicycling Magazine ranked Ann Arbor 14th of America’s top 50 cycling-friendly cities and it currently holds a Silver ranking from the League of American Bicyclists for being a bicycle-friendly community.  As the cold weather sets in this year, all the great reasons for commuting by bike in Ann Arbor still remain.

There are some big changes in your commute that come with the winter months. The first is going to be your choice of clothing.  With the right layers you be surprised with how little clothing you can wear and still stay warm.  Layer up too much and you’ll be soaked in sweat before you get to your destination.  The best advice is to start out slightly under-dressed, and therefore feeling a little cold.  In a couple miles you’ll be warmed up and comfortable.  You can also use your level of effort to regulate your temperature. If you are too cold you can pick up the pace and work harder. Over heating? Slow down for the next few miles and you will cool off fast.

Another change the winter brings is the effect the elements have on your bike.  While we stay in shape and feel empowered pedaling throughout the cold, rust and corrosion threaten our components and potentially our frame every day we ride.  Getting in the habit of keeping the chain well lubricated and periodically cleaning the salt off the frame, rims and other components is the first step to maintaining your bike through the winter.  Plan on replacing brake pads, chain, and possibly your rear cassette in spring to keep the bike rolling into the warm months.

There may be some new equipment that will help make cycling through the winter safer and more enjoyable.  With limited amount of daylight for riding, a set of lights is one of the most important gear needed in the winter.  With models of front and rear lights covering a wide price range, the most basic lights will serve to draw attention to you and let drivers know where you are. Fenders will help keep road grime off you and your bike and can be fitted to most bikes.  Some riders also choose to switch to a different set of tires as the fall rolls in.  More aggressive tread patterns can offer increased traction and more stability for when the snow falls.

The best advice for winter commuting is to just keep riding this fall and into the spring.  It is way easier to adjust slowly to the changing conditions than to take a few months off and start commuting in January: it just won’t happen.  So stay on the bike this winter, keep in shape for spring, and teach mother who is boss, on a bike!

Seven Cycles Custom Frame – An Experience

Jerry Talks About His Seven Cycles Custom Fitting

Why a Custom Frame Bicycle?
Look around – bike riders come in countless sizes and shapes. Regular production bicycles in their many sizes and shapes accommodate the majority of folks. With a proper fitting from the fit team at TWT almost all new bikes fit their owners perfectly.  However for some body geometries, a fitting is “almost perfect,” with slight compromises to accommodate unique body geometry.

You might never notice the effects of these compromises in the “almost perfect” fit, but they are indeed there.  The solution is a frame designed around the individual—a custom frame.

So I’m Not Perfect
I’ve got one of the non-standard body geometries – in my case, long legs and arms and a short torso.  Production bikes have always been a fit compromise so I decided to purchase a custom fit frame from Seven Cycles.

Fact-Checking
The first step was an in-depth questionnaire involving both quantitative and subjective data.  Body measurement parameters (inseam, torso length, arm length, etc) were measured and compiled by the TWT fit team.  Key measurements were taken from my present bike.  On the subjective side I was queried about my satisfaction with the fit of my present bike and any additional issues I had.  Finally through a series of prompts I was asked to describe in detail the type of riding that I do.

Let’s Talk
After submitting my questionnaire to Seven they set up an appointment for an-in-depth telephone interview.  It was during this interview that for me the real fun began. It was obvious that these folks really know their stuff—it was as if they could read my mind and that they had been riding alongside of me and observing for years!!  Top marks for personal service.

Blueprints & Mockup & Assessment
Approximately 2 weeks later Seven provided a blueprint complete with measurements of their proposed frame design.  The TWT team used the “size-cycle” (an infinitely adjustable bicycle frame complete with drivetrain, seat and handlebars) to mock up and functionally assess the design proposal with me in the saddle.  One small change was provided to Seven and approximately 5 weeks later (timing varies) my frame and fork arrived at the shop.

How Do I Love My Seven – Let Me Count The Ways…
Seven Cycles’ mission:  We’ve built our business on understanding what you really want and value in a bicycle and delivering precisely that, accompanied by a level of service unparalleled in the industry.

Yep.

I’ve been riding my Seven since mid-May.  My reaction is just two words—ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!! In hindsight I understand the compromises I’ve lived with.  Over a long road biking career (50+ years) none of the many bikes I’ve owned and/or ridden ever felt like my Seven.  The bike felt instantly like an old friend and our first ride became an accidental century.  And the cost of a custom frame fully equipped Seven is MUCH less than one might expect.  Higher-end production bikes are more expensive.  Yet another reason my Seven surprises and delights me.

For more information, stop by Two Wheel Tango –  and stop by the  Seven Cycles web site too.

TWT – The Spin From Dennis

If you haven’t been out for a ride recently, you are missing out on amazing weather and fall colors. Personally, this is my favorite time of year to ride.  The cool temps and beautiful Midwestern scenery are spectacular.  There’s so much great riding is just out the front door!  Granted I have moved less than two miles from the Potowatami trail—I’m sure I’ve ridden my mountain bike more in the last three months that I have the last two years.  Whether it’s a ride to the Dexter Cider Mill or a dirt road ride (check out Dirt Roads Washtenaw, one of the best new ride resources by Rob Pulchiper) or a ride on the newly paved Greenway along Platt Road south of Ellsworth Road, you should make the time to get out there and ride!

We are excited to announce that not only have we been voted a Top 100 Bicycle Retailer for 2010 but have also been recognized as a 5 Star Retailer. We have now been voted as a Top 100 Bicycle Retailer five years in a row and we have now joined the prestigious ranks of less than forty-five bicycle retailers in the country that have achieved this standing. For that, we have to thank our staff, who have made this possible, and our customers, who expect only the best from us.

We had so much going on this year at the store that I’m surprised I found the time to ride.  We sponsored three tri series. Over the summer, you could have found someone for Two Wheel Tango at almost any tri in Southeastern Michigan doing race support.  I went to Belle Isle for the first time ever and found myself at the A2Tri reminiscing about my second place finish in the ’97 A2 Duathlon, which was several children ago.  This summer has taught me that the only place to get a coffee at 5am is McDonald’s—who knew I’d be a regular!

One of the ways that we are connected to the Ann Arbor community is by supporting organizations that work to make Ann Arbor a better place to live. We have involved ourselves with several amazing organizations like Ozone House, the ALS Society of Michigan and the AAFD’s Bikes for Tykes program. One of the greatest thrills of my year is seeing the faces of the kids at the fire station when they discover their brand new bicycles from the Bikes for Tykes program that we partner with the AAFD.  And I’ve found that the store’s charitable involvement has been a good role model for my children. My eldest daughter Margot is donates time to various organizations around the community.  Please consider donating to our community’s worthy causes.

We are always looking to improve the products we offer and the services we provide. I got to attend the Specialized’s dealer show in Keystone, CO, the yearly Trek launch in Madison, WI and the annual industry trade show, Interbike, in Las Vegas. They were great opportunities to get a look at all the new bikes for 2011 – and I got to ride some of them too around Lake Menona and down the mountains in Colorado. Commuter bike options have continued to expand, which is great for the Ann Arbor community. I particularly liked the Trek by Gary Fisher Earl—maybe it’s just the color?  We braved Las Vegas with the hope of expanding our accessory offerings, and we were not disappointed. Next time you are in the store, make sure to look out for the new bags, shoes, clothing and other exciting products!

It is usually a sad time of year when the temperature first drops below 50, but I urge you to think of it as an opportunity to prepare for the spring. Whether that is as simple as bringing your bike in for its ‘spring tune-up’ now before you put it away for the winter (beat the spring rush!) or challenging yourself with a winter trainer regimen, you should take advantage of your bike’s move indoors. You are welcome to join us, AAVC and the A2 Tri Club for trainer workouts at the Jackson store this winter.  Watch our website for details. Otherwise, we’ll still be here in the spring!

If you are into biking or if you like to watch other people suffer, join us at the Tailwinds Cross races at Vet’s Park Halloween weekend. Once again, we will be hosting the Charity Costume Race on Saturday, October 30.  If you are willing to ride a lap around Vet’s in a costume, you have a pretty good chance of winning a new cyclocross frame!

Thanks for your support! We try to provide the best service we can every single day. Look for some very exciting news from us in early 2011. In the meantime, we hope to see you soon! And if not, we’ll see you in the spring.

TWT New Face and Common Cycle-ist

By Jimmy, TWT staffer and a Common Cycle Founder

Last December, I had the privilege of joining the Two Wheel Tango team.  Before this move I worked at another local shop and lived in the Ann Arbor area for several years.  Having worked as closely as I have with the biking community, I wanted to use my  experience and relationships to empower cyclists to become more self sufficient.  Last winter, with the help of a crew of “like-minded-individuals”, we formed a group aimed at supporting anyone who had the desire to ride or fix bikes. Common Cycle was born.

We feel we can provide a service for everyone from the daily commuter to the recreational cyclist.  We are a community based organization empowering Ann Arbor to ride bicycles by providing access to education, workspace, and other resources.  The response from the community, as well as Two Wheel Tango, has been overwhelming and greatly appreciated. I feel blessed to be a part of a team that shares my vision and passions.

Here’s a story in annarbor.com about Common Cycle.

Washtenaw Dirt Roads – Local Rider Tells All In New Book

Dirt Roads Washtenaw is a Sweet Resource for Everyone Who Likes to Bike

Dirt Road Washtenaw explores the scenic and often overlooked back roads of our community.  Author Rob Pulcipher rode nearly every one and he’s put together this little gem of a book, filled with photos and historical and geographical info.  Pulcipher offers 17 routes with flexible alternatives.  Check out this example of the Northfield Church Route.    Copies of the book are available at Two Wheel Tango.

“Nearly half of the county roads are dirt,” says Pulcipher, “and they’re pleasant routes to explore. Many of us are looking for ways to exercise and to get outdoors. These roads offer excellent recreation opportunities right our our back door.”

Cyclists, from beginner to expert and everyone in between, will have a nearly endless supply of riding options.  It’s designed for anyone who likes to bike and make new discoveries.  It’s for newcomers to the area, visitors, and for those who live in the region and want to learn more about what’s out their back door.

Rob Pulcipher lives in Ann Arbor and is president of Clay House Publications, LLC.  He’s an active and avid bicycle rider, writer and photographer.

Order the book online at dirtroadwashtenaw.com, or purchase it Two Wheel Tango, among other outlets.